Evaluation of the relative gene expression of FGF2, HAS2, BCL2, VEGFA, and PGR in repeat-breeder cows undergoing cyclicity or acyclicity

Punnawut Yama; Napatsorn Montha; Jakree Jitjumnong; Hien Van Doan; Nguyen Vu Linh; Warittha U-Krit; Maslin Osathanunkul; Raktham Mektrirat; Julakorn Panatuk; Payungsuk Intawicha; Chien-Kai Wang; Tossapol Moonmanee

doi:10.1016/j.repbio.2025.101049

Evaluation of the relative gene expression of FGF2, HAS2, BCL2, VEGFA, and PGR in repeat-breeder cows undergoing cyclicity or acyclicity

Reprod Biol. 2025 Jul 2;25(3):101049. doi: 10.1016/j.repbio.2025.101049. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Department of Animal Science and Fishery, Faculty of Sciences and Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand.
² Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Functional Feed Innovation Center (FuncFeed), Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
³ Singburi College of Agriculture and Technology, Singburi 16000, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁵ Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
⁶ Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand.
⁷ Unit of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand.
⁸ Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan; The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402202, Taiwan.
⁹ Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Functional Feed Innovation Center (FuncFeed), Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: tossapol.m@cmu.ac.th.

PMID: 40609254
DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2025.101049

Abstract

Repeat breeder syndrome (RBS) is one of the main reproductive failures in mono-ovulatory dairy cattle. The differential relative expression of several important genes in the ovary and uterus were evaluated in repeat-breeder dairy cattle. Cows classified as RBS, defined as those that had failed to conceive after at least three consecutive inseminations, with no clinical abnormalities. The selected cows were divided into two groups: repeat-breeder dairy cows undergoing cyclicity (control group) (n = 8) or acyclicity (n = 6). Granulosa cells (GCs) and endometrium were collected from both groups to evaluate the relative expression levels of target genes (fibroblast growth factor 2 [FGF2], hyaluronan synthase 2 [HAS2], B-cell lymphoma 2 [BCL2], vascular endothelial growth factor A [VEGFA], and progesterone receptor [PGR]). The relative expression levels of FGF2 mRNA in GCs (0.34-fold and -65.84 %) and PGR mRNA in endometrium (0.09-fold and -90.53 %) were lower (P < 0.05) in acyclic cows relative to cyclic cows. The relative expression levels of HAS2 and BCL2 mRNA in GCs tended to be lower by 0.40-fold (-59.85 %, P = 0.084) and 0.54-fold (-45.84 %, P = 0.065) in acyclic cows relative to cyclic cows. However, none of the relative expression levels of VEGFA in the ovary and uterus differed between groups (P > 0.10). These results provide a comparison of differential gene expression in repeat-breeder dairy cows undergoing cyclicity and acyclicity, suggesting a role in ovarian follicular growth and uterine function.

Keywords: Antral follicles; Endometrial function; Mono-ovulatory large ruminants; Ovarian acyclicity; Reproductive failure.